Q: I don't know how to say this delicately, so I'll get right to the point. A staffer at our practice has terrible body odor. Her B.O. is so bad that several other staffers have approached me, saying they don't want to work with her. Also, they have asked me to do something about the situation. I'm usually good at counseling employees, but this particular problem has me … [Read more...] about When an employee has body odor
Compliance
Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Why you need this policy: Personnel issues are among the most difficult problems faced by medical practice management. And few personnel issues are any tougher than sexual harassment. How this policy helps you: The starting point in managing sexual harassment is to establish a clearly written, specific policy that includes a/an: Policy statement indicating that sexual … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
A nationwide survey finds health care organizations and businesses, including medical practices, confront time and staffing challenges when it comes to health care compliance management. Expertise is also an issue, as is keeping up with changes. Nevertheless, medical practices and other health care providers recognize the importance of health care compliance management. The … [Read more...] about Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
Expect more concerted HIPAA enforcement due to OIG reports
The protection of individuals' private health information isn't being adequately enforced, according to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG issued two reports criticizing the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for failing to proactively enforce privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and follow … [Read more...] about Expect more concerted HIPAA enforcement due to OIG reports
Compliance checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you have complied with all the new and modified requirements in the HIPAA final rule: Notice of privacy practices Addresses breach notification rules Discusses uses for which authorization is required Advises patients they can request nondisclosure to health plan if they pay out-of-pocket Addresses sale of PHI Advises patients they can opt out … [Read more...] about Compliance checklist
Important guidelines for your medical practice website
When your medical office establishes a website, be sure to set some boundaries and limits for individuals using that website, and give careful attention to the individuals referenced at the site. To set boundaries for individuals using the site, you should have a terms-of-use policy available on the website which includes disclaimers about the purpose of the site and what … [Read more...] about Important guidelines for your medical practice website
Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face
Here are the answers to five individual questions managers often encounter. They are outlined by attorney Shari L. Lane of Northwest Employment Law in Portland, OR. Changing the face of the job 1. Can the office require an employee to take on a different work schedule or move to another location? What if it affects the employee's child care or family responsibility … [Read more...] about Easy answers to 5 tough questions managers often face
How to keep the office safe from the lawyers when a staffer gets fired
Terminations are what spark the vast majority of today’s employment law claims, says employment defense attorney Shari Lane. That’s one area where managers can’t afford to make mistakes. Step back before pulling the trigger Safety starts with two obvious precautions, Lane says. First, review the record. Make sure it explains what has led to the decision. If there’s not … [Read more...] about How to keep the office safe from the lawyers when a staffer gets fired
Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
A lot of employment laws apply only to larger employers. Not wage and hour laws. Those apply to every employer, regardless of size. And they are “the largest source of employment litigation,” says employment law attorney Daniel F. Pyne of Hopkins & Carley in San Jose, CA. In his own practice, wage and hour issues account for almost half of the matters that … [Read more...] about Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
By Steve M. Cohen bio I have worked closely with two organizations: The Transgender Institute (TTI) and the Gender Policy Associates (GPA). TTI is an organization that provides therapy, consultation, and coaching to transgender people. This is a population that is much misunderstood; in schools they are subject to extensive bullying. At work, they are often subject to … [Read more...] about Fairness in the employment setting can be everything